Record $739.43 million remittances received in March
Pakistans overseas workers sent the highest-ever single-month amount of $739.43 million as remittances in March 2009, surpassing the previous $673.50 million received in December 2008. This amount shows an increase of $137.22 million, or 22.79 percent, from $602.21 million received in March, 2008 more... (BR)

Japan to give Pakistan $1 billion in aid
Japans government is finalising plans to provide Pakistan with up to $1 billion in economic aid over the next two years, the Nikkei business daily reported on Saturday. The assistance would consist of yen loans and grant aid, and is aimed at helping poverty-stricken areas that could become breeding grounds for extremists, as well as finance infrastructure, education and job training, the Nikkei said more... (BR)

Government expecting $5.627 billion inflow through 13 projects
The government is expecting $5.627 billion inflow through 13 projects, which are in the pipeline. According to Board of Investment, the projects in the pipeline are of trade, construction, steel, infrastructure, automobile, telecom, power and banking sectors more... (BR)

Kayani meets King Abdullah
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani who is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia on Sunday called on King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, said an ISPR news release issued here. During the meeting matters of mutual interest were discussed more... (BR)

NATO backs Pak-Afghan strategy, says Obama
US President Barack Obama said on Saturday that America’s NATO allies were united behind his new strategy for Pakistan and Afghanistan more... (D)

PPL may be allowed to go for Yemen Block 27
The Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet is likely to allow Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) to get oil and gas exploration rights of Block 27 in Yemen. Sources said that the Petroleum Ministry has moved a summary for ECC meeting scheduled for Monday to allow PPL to move in Yemen for oil and gas exploration activities more... (BR)

ECC may approve new policy for oil refineries
The Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet is likely to approve, on Monday, a three-year oil refinery policy containing incentives for oil refineries and penalties if the refineries failed to complete the projects for upgradation of the petroleum products by 2012 more... (BR)

Crude prices could hit $60 in third quarter
Irans oil minister said on Sunday he believed crude prices could rise to $60 a barrel in the third quarter of 2009, but that $75-80 was needed to secure future supply. Gholamhossein Nozari also called for co-operation between OPEC and producers outside the 12-member organisation to help stabilise the market, with oil prices still trading about 65 percent below their peak in mid-2008 more... (BR)

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